Person Detained Following Downtown Structure Fire
Written By: ABQRAW Staff
Posted On: 04/28/2023 @ 7:45PM
Albuquerque - On Friday, April 28th at 6:05AM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to a fire at 119 High Street SE, which is located near Gold Ave SE and High St SE. This property is just south of the Grove Cafe & Market. According to AFR, Engine 1 came upon this house fire while returning from a call.
When AFR arrived on scene, they initiated defensive fire operations due to the fire conditions and the fire was also encroaching on the house next door. AFR command then requested a second alarm. The initial AFR crews worked swiftly to stop the spread to the adjacent house. According to AFR's PIO Jason Fejer, "aerial master streams and multiple hand-lines extinguished the fire in 34 minutes with no civilian or firefighter injuries." There were a total of 16 apparatus and 45 personnel were on scene. AFR reported that the main structure sustained severe fire and heat-related damage, which resulted in the collapse of the structure. The two adjacent properties sustained damage due to the extensive fire conditions.
To investigate the origin and cause of the fire, AFR Fire Investigators responded to the scene. Fire investigators and APD officers received multiple reports that an individual, by the name of Sly Quincy Jones, was seen walking around the neighborhood after the incident occurred. Multiple witnesses in the neighborhood claimed that at some point, Jones was seen fleeing the scene of the fire. Jones has previously been arrested for other crimes in the Huning Highland Neighborhood and he has allegedly been arrested for other fire related incidents. According to AFR, it was believed by law enforcement that Jones was involved in this incident. As a result, Jones became a suspect as having started the fire.
Upon completion of the fire scene investigation, Fire Investigators and APD officers patrolled the neighborhood to track down Jones. Jones was located and detained near the 200 block of Arno St. SE. Jones was taken to the PTC, where he is currently detained. According to AFR, "fire investigators are coordinating with the District Attorney’s office, as the investigation is ongoing".
It should be noted that another local media outlet ran a story on April 26th, 2023, about Sly Quincy Jones. On April 22nd, 2023, Jones reportedly started a fire in the same Huning Highlands neighborhood and the act was reportedly caught on the homeowner's security camera. Jones was released from jail two days later.
Jones has at least three other past charges for criminal damage to property (over $1000). For the two criminal charges on April 29th, 2021 and July 23rd, 2021, the charges were ultimately dismissed because he was deemed incompetent to stand trial.